The University Clinical Center Tuzla marked World Liver Day with an expert meeting and a series of educational lectures dedicated to raising awareness about liver health.
This year’s program focused on metabolically associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), increasingly recognized as one of the leading public health challenges of modern society.
During the lectures, it was emphasized that MASLD is the most common chronic liver disease and is closely linked to modern lifestyle factors, particularly unhealthy dietary habits, reduced physical activity, and the rising prevalence of obesity.
Experts highlighted the concern that MASLD can remain undetected for years due to the absence of clear symptoms, often being diagnosed only in advanced stages such as fibrosis or cirrhosis. It was also underlined that MASLD is not solely a liver condition, but a systemic disease associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirela Bašić- Denjagić, specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology, the lectures addressed fatty liver disease as the most prevalent, yet often overlooked, chronic liver condition, underscoring the importance of early detection, prevention, and timely intervention.
“MASLD, or metabolically associated steatotic liver disease, is the most common chronic liver disease and is not an isolated disease, but occurs as part of metabolic syndrome. It is a disease that is very present, but often without pronounced symptoms. Incidentally, about 2 million people in the world die from liver disease, and 1.5 billion have a diseased liver, which is why it is very important to constantly discuss this topic, educate the public, but also promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles,” emphasized Assoc. Prof. Bašić- Denjagić.
The aforementioned lectures brought together a large number of healthcare professionals from various specialties, and the organizers’ goal was to highlight the importance of raising public awareness of the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
By marking World Liver Day, the University Clinical Center Tuzla once again confirmed its commitment to continuous education and prevention of chronic diseases.
